Abbad ibn Bishr (ra) stood guard over the the Prophet (saw) and the Muslims whilst they slept, but as the night was calm and peaceful, with no movement, nor any threatening sign, he seized this opportunity and began to pray. While he was absorbed in reciting and reflecting upon the words of Allah, a stranger stalked the outskirts of the valley in search of Mohammed (saw) and his followers. This man had taken an oath that he would pursue Mohammed (saw) and his Companions and he would not return until he had drawn blood. From a distance, the man saw the silhoute of Abbad. Silently, he drew his bow and let fly an arrow which embedded itself into Abbad's flesh. Calmly, Abbad pulled out the arrow from his body and continued with his recitation, still absorbed in his salah (prayer). The attacker shot 2 more arrows both of which also found their mark. Abbad pulled the arrows out, finished his recitation, made ruku and sujood. Weak and in pain, he stretched out his right arm whilst in prostration and shook his sleeping companion. Ammar (ra) awoke. Silently, Abbad continued his salah to its end and then said: "Get up and stand guard in my place, I have been wounded." The attacker fled into the darkness. Ammar turned to Abbad as he lay on the ground, blood flowing from his wounds. "Ya Subhaanallah (Glory be to God)! Why didn't you wake me when you were hit by the 1st arrow?" "I was in the midst of reciting verses of the Quran which filled my soul with awe and I did not want to cut the recitation short. The Prophet (saw) had commanded me to commit this Surah (chapter) to memory. Death would have been dearer to me than that the recitation of this Surah to be interrupted. (Companions of the Prophet)
